Polishing head and tool change arm for a polishing head

Abstract

A polishing head for use in a polishing machine for optical surfaces, having an axis of rotation and a base body having a holding structure intended to be arranged at a polishing spindle and having a transport element intended to be held at a tool change arm, the transport element being positionable against a holding element of the tool change arm in the axial direction relative to the axis of rotation in order to perform a tool change, wherein at least one locking element is provided which can be positioned against the tool change arm in the circumferential direction U such that a positive and / or non-positive joint results. A tool change arm of a polishing machine for optical surfaces, comprising a holding element intended to hold a polishing head having an axis of rotation, the holding element being positionable against a transport element of the polishing head in the axial direction in order to perform a tool change, wherein at least one guiding part is provided which, in relation to the polishing head, can be positioned against the polishing head in the circumferential direction U relative to the axis of rotation such that a positive and / or non-positive joint results.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a polishing head for use in a polishing machine for optical surfaces, comprising an axis of rotation and a base body having a holding structure intended to be arranged at a polishing spindle and having a transport element intended to be held at a tool change arm, the transport element being positionable against a locking element of the tool change arm in the axial direction relative to the axis of rotation in order to perform a tool change.[0002]The invention also relates to a tool change arm of a polishing machine for optical surfaces, comprising a locking element intended to hold a polishing head having an axis of rotation, the locking element being positionable against a transport element of the polishing head in the axial direction in order to perform a tool change.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]A polishing head is already known from DE 10 2004 062 319 B3. This polishing head comprises a base body which supports a polishing pad ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]For this purpose it may also be advantageous if the locking element can be positioned or prestressed against the tool change arm in the radial direction relative to the axis of rotation and / or if the guiding part can be positioned and / or prestressed against a locking element of the polishing head in the radial direction relative to the axis of rotation. Said prestressing provides sufficient holding power in the circumferential direction. In addition, said prestressing ensures that the locking element and the guiding part can snap into place and, above all, disengage. In this way, the locking element can disengage or slip through if the polishing head is carried along by the polishing spindle, until the tool change arm is swung back.

[0011]Further, it may be advantageous if the locking element is formed as a depression or elevation of a surface of the base body or comprises a depression or elevation which, at least in the circumferential direction U, is limited to a partial circumference, a guiding part of the tool change arm being positionable in the depression or on the elevation, or if the guiding part is formed as a depression or elevation of a surface of the tool change arm or comprises a depression or elevation, the locking element of the polishing head being positionable in the depression or on the elevation. This ensures a simple positive coupling in the circumferential direction between the polishing head end the tool change arm. The locking element or the guiding part is finally more than a depression or elevation. As a whole, it ensures that the tool change arm and the polishing head will snap into each other, thus establishing a positive joint, and disengage.

[0012]It may also be advantageous if the locking element is formed as a continuous toothing, the guiding part of the tool change arm being able to be inserted or snap into the toothing, or if the guiding part is formed as a catch means and can be inserted or snap into and disengage from the locking element of the polishing head formed as a continuous toothing. The tooth spacing can be selected at will. The smaller the spacing of the teeth the higher is the wear of the locking element or the guiding part when the toothing slips through. The spacing of said catch means corresponds to said tooth spacing, the snap-in action being ensured by said prestressing and by the positive joint acting in the circumferential direction.

[0014]Advantageously, the surface of the base body can be provided with a shoulder extending over the circumference U of the base body, the locking element being formed within the shoulder as a pitch-surface-shaped depression or elevation extending in the axial direction relative to the axis of rotation. The pitch-cylinder-shaped depression ensures sufficient holding power in the circumferential direction on the one hand and wear-free snapping into place and disengagement of the guiding part on the other. The pitch-surface-shaped depression extends in the axial direction and is open at the top and bottom relative to this direction so that a high tolerance is possible when the locking element and the guiding part are axially aligned.

[0015]It may be of special importance for the present invention if several locking elements are distributed over the circumference U, the guiding part of the tool change arm being positionable against one or more locking elements. A multiple coupling or toothing ensures that the specific holding power and / or prestressing force of each coupling or toothing is reduced and, as a result, less wear. There may be any number of locking elements. The number finally depends on the desired tooth spacing or spacing of the catch means. Four locking elements should at least be provided in order that the base body does not move too much between one locking or holding position and the next locking or holding position. Eighty locking elements would correspond to a tooth spacing of 4.5°. This number could serve as an upper limit. It is preferred that eight to twelve locking elements, particularly 10 locking elements, are provided.

Problems solved by technology

If the polishing head known from the state of the art is used, it can happen that the spindle begins to move, but the necessary relative movement in the circumferential direction between the polishing spindle and the polishing head to be fitted thereto does not take place or is at least insufficient.

The tool change arm is swung back automatically a certain time after the polishing spindle begins to rotate, which inevitably results in that the polishing head is lost if it has not snapped into place by then.

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